Garage Works - 2/8/2025

Marlon is headed to the mainland for a bit for work - so he and La ran errands.  La wanted to help take down our Traveler's Palm plant, so instead of doing yard work, I headed to the garage to work on No.40

To start, I sanded the whole board to 40 grit.

Then I rinsed it thoroughly to get the sanding dust off.

After the board dried, I started with the bottom deck logos.  And after giving the decals a chance to bond with the board, I went ahead and added the last fill coat.

To get the coverage, I placed about 9.5 ounces of ProLink epoxy.

And after the bottom deck fill coat hardened, I got the top deck decals placed.  When we got back from dropping Marlon off at the airport, I went ahead and placed the top deck fill coat.

This was 6 ounces of ProLink epoxy.

This last coat is thicker around the decals.  I'll sand with the broken in 40 grit just to get the cutting process started - but I'll transition to 60 pretty quick.

Tomorrow after sanding to 320, I'll install the plugs.

I'm waiting for a full-length deck pad to come in the mail and I also need to get some Napa 2K clear coat.

No.40 will likely be done by Wednesday.  I'll give the deck pad a couple of days to bond - it would be nice to anoint this under wing - but with the wind not really filling in, I'll likely first get it in the water using the Foil Drive.

Garage Works - 10/10/2024

Yesterday I spent some time in the garage getting this project further towards the finish line.

I sanded the excess fill coat epoxy and got it super close to the finish depth.

Here's the bottom deck-

And here's the top deck

Then I opened up the tracks and applied the bottom logos.

After getting some other errands done in the afternoon, I added another layer of clear epoxy to cover the logos and correct any low/high points.

Today I'll lightly sand the rails and the top deck over lay, place the top deck logo on and then add the top deck clear coat.

After that, tomorrow will be more sanding and the plug installations.

Most likely final fine sanding on Sunday, spraying an enamel/acrylic wear coat, then the deck pads.

Getting real close!!!!  

Garage Works - 6/28/2024

When I got home from work, there was some thermal winds swirling around.  I did not want to get tempted to wing, so I waited a bit.  That waiting manifested itself in the garage.

I sanded No.37 through the 40 grit rough sanding.

Here's the top deck -

And here's the bottom deck.

This board sanded down nicely.  I went ahead and got the bottom deck labels on before Marlon and I headed off to get a surf session in.

And after we got settled once we got back, I got 4.9 ounces of straight aluzine brushed on as a sanding layer and protectant of the labels.

Tomorrow after the dawn patrol, I'll get the same done to the top deck.  By the afternoon, I should be able to drill out the holes for the vent and the leash plugs.  

I'll leave the sanding for Sunday to let the epoxy harden up just a bit.

Garage Works - 5/15/2024

I had another few hours to forward the projects in the garage.

Before these pictures, I got the caps on the top deck windows on Marvin's boards.  And I used some of that epoxy to put a small fill layer where I'd place the logos.  That's when I went surfing....

And when Marlon and I got back, I got the logos on and let those sit in place for a bit (for better adhesion)

Dinner called and I answered - but epoxy waits for no one.  After dinner I got back out and got the caps on the bottom deck of Marvin's boards.

These two should be finished tomorrow.

And I got the fill coat on the top deck of No.36

This is going to be a great wing board (and maybe even Foil Drive-able).

Tomorrow is a sanding day... I'll get the high points down, even everything out top and bottom, then will probably get the bottom deck second fill coat on to address any low points.

If that holds, then Friday I'll drill out the vent and leash plug holes, get those installed and the second fill coat goes on the top deck.  That makes Saturday the final sanding day.  Then I'll open the tracks, fair those in and get the wear coat sprayed on.  With no wind in the upcoming forecast, I'll get the deck pads on and let the board rest.

It looks like Tuesday the wind returns and later next week we'll have some nuking winds!  This board will definitely be done by then. 

Garage Works - 5/14/2024

I got the holes for the signal windows on both of Marvin's board filled this afternoon (again after a long nap... not sure why I'm dead tired coming home...).

Tomorrow I'll sand these down and get them capped.

Then I shifted my attention to sanding the laps on No.36

Here it is all sanded and dusted off.  While I had the epoxy for the signal windows, I went ahead and put a partial fill coat where the logos will go on the bottom deck.

And I felt compelled to keep pushing forward - I got the two bottom deck logos placed and got the whole fill coat placed.  I can already tell I'm going to have to do a second to get the low spots filled in.

This board is coming together nicely!!!

I'll get the top deck fill coat on tomorrow, then I'll sand the whole board once over to see where the low spots are.  I'll then put the second fills on (and sand...).

I think next time the wind comes up to winging strength, if I keep working on it daily, I should be able to get this anointed.

Garage Works - 1/19/2024

I got a little work done on No.34 this evening.

I sanded the small fill areas where the logos were going.  Then I placed the logo decals (duhhhhh).

Then I placed a fill coat using the Pro Link epoxy (it's purple in strong sunlight).  I mixed 12.6 ounces and brushed it on thick to quickly fill the lap gaps.

Tomorrow I'll lightly sand the edge of the top deck, place some inserts (2 single footstrap inserts to make a carrying handle), the leash plug, and maybe the vent.  Then maybe I'll place some decals, then the top deck fill coat.

I see some sanding in my future... I still have a few days of work to get No.34 seaworthy.

Top Deck Lamination on the New 4'10"

I got the top deck lamination done yesterday.  I am still a little concerned about the voids that developed when I dropped in the reinforcement blocks with straight epoxy (DON'T DO THAT - cut it with aerosil or milled fibers), so I added some additional fibers - left over carbon and innegra.

I took my time cutting the laps and it paid off - not perfect but really nice.  I really like using the dense 4" dense foam rollers from Home Depot to laminate - more so than the ones I used to get from FGH.  The only problem with them is the epoxy tends to collect on the tip of the insert - and before I finish the lamination, the epoxy starts setting (and since it is concentrated - smoking).

I left everything cure and in the afternoon I went ahead and grinded the laps and added the logo stickers.  I am going to see how these last under the fill coat (should be more durable than the logos on the Dually Stubby - but that's what this is all for, figuring out what works best).

Today will be addressing the voids around the tracks and the two fill coats.  That'll leave sanding and the plug installs for after work the next few days.  This should definitely be ready to ride next weekend.

Cool Logos

Really cool logo from a shipping company operating out of Port Allen, Kauai.

Credit for the logo to the Shipping Company